We’ve been home from Florida for about a week and since I finally feel mostly settled back into the swing of things I feel like it’s a good time to reflect on our adventures. The highlights of our trip included Trey’s best friend’s wedding, spending time with Trey’s family, DISNEY WORLD and most importantly drinking around the world at Epcot!! When you’re on vacation it is perfectly acceptable to enjoy yourself and indulge a little bit (or a lot a bit in my opinion). I’ve always wanted to try this challenge but knew that I would be a drunk puddle on the floor if I attempted to complete it by myself. Thank goodness for a boyfriend that you can share with or in my case take a few sips and give the rest to him. I just love the idea of being able to try a traditional drink from all of these great countries without the need of a passport. This experience will suffice for now until I actually have the money to travel to all of these places. Fair warning, we skipped over the American Adventure because we’re in America and frankly I didn’t think it was worth it to pay 8 bucks for a glass of Sutter Home. So here is the breakdown of what we consumed in each country and my thoughts on each on a scale of 1-10 (see photos above, left to right).
1. Mexico
Drink - Wild Passion Fruit Margarita
I’d give this drink a solid 8. A good start, not too strong with a little bit of sweetness without being overpowering.
2. Norway
Drink - Shot of Aquavit
0. This doesn’t even deserve a 1. I only took half of the shot and that was enough, it was just not good. Sorry Norway.
3. China
Drink - Mango Mamma wine
It turns out that this wine isn’t even authentically Chinese; it’s made right in Florida. I do think it is safe to say that it’s inspired by Chinese wine. With that being said I give it an 8. Deliciously sweet and packed a punch (it was almost 11%).
4. Germany
Drink - Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen
YUM YUM YUM. That means a lot coming from me considering I despise beer. The reason why this beer takes the cake is because it’s a radler. Which, according to the google machine, means that it’s “a 50-50 blend of grapefruit juice and unfiltered wheat beer.” 10 out of 10!
5. Italy
Drink - Limoncello Cocktail
This was VERY lemony which I expected since I’ve had limoncello before. I almost felt like this was just straight limoncello. Anyways, it was a decent drink, not life changing so I’ll give it a 6.
6. Japan
Drink - Cold Sake
I don’t know why I expected this to taste good. For some reason I always assumed that sake was a sweet wine. I was very wrong, it was very bitter. They also served hot sake and I can’t even stomach what that must taste like. I’ll give it a 3 because Trey said 5 so I’ll meet him in the middle.
7. Morocco
Drink - Sangria Royale
Pretty much your basic red sangria. Very refreshing and a nice contrast from the sake in Japan. 7 out of 10.
8. France
Drink - Grand Marnier Orange Slush
This has been a favorite since we tried it the first time we visited Epcot together last year. It’s so delicious it deserves a 10. There’s a very nice blend of the orange flavor with the Grand Marnier. It’s probably more of a summer drink since it was approaching 50 degrees that night though.
9. (NOT PICTURED) UK
Drink - Snake Bite
I guess I was too drunk to remember to take a picture. When I think of the UK I think of beer, pubs and Guinness. We opted for something with cider due to my disdain for beer in general. The snake bite was cider topped with Harp. It wasn’t my favorite (probably because it wasn’t just straight cider) but it was a nice tame beer with a cidery finish. I’ll give it a solid 7.
10. Canada
Drink - Shot of Crown Royal Maple
By this point I was over it. I did not want to end the whole thing with a shot but I knew it would be a quick finish. This was literally maple syrup flavored whiskey, I don’t know what’s more Canadian. It was pretty strong but the strong maple flavoring definitely helped mask it: a generous 5.
San Francisco has been at the top of my bucket list for as long as I can remember and living in LA now made it much more convenient to finally make the trip up to the Bay Area. We had been planning this trip for weeks, making a list of all the must-see spots, arranging a hotel, and tweaking a rough itinerary. I knew that three days would be enough time to explore the majority of what I wanted to see and it was also easier to get the days off of work. We decided to make the drive up there in order to cut costs, and experience the scenic views on the Pacific Coast Highway. Lucky for us, we discovered a boutique style hotel, called The Mayflower, that was cheaper than most, centrally located in Nob Hill and had free parking underneath the building! It could not have been more perfect. Here’s the highlights of how we spent our quick trip in San Francisco…
Day 1
We left LA at 2AM to have the majority of the whole day to explore the city. Our stops along the PCH included McWay Falls in Big Sur and Bixby Bridge before arriving in the city just before noon.
After we got our barrings and found our hotel, it was a little too early to check in so we decided to drive Lombard Street, one of the world’s curviest streets. You must drive it at least once in your lifetime or just witness everyone try to navigate the sharp turns. After checking in, dropping off our bags and parking the car our first task was to catch a Cable Car. It was surprisingly difficult to figure out which ones were travelling in the direction we needed to go. Thankfully the cable car operators helped to direct us. We paid our $7 for a one way ticket and rode it all the way to Fisherman’s Wharf.
We had a little time to kill before our 3:20PM Alcatraz tour departure so we wandered around Fisherman’s Wharf and got some fish and chips. Our first choice would’ve been The Codmother (one of the best restaurants in the city according to yelp) but sadly they were closed so we settled for Chowders, which ended up being pretty decent!
Alcatraz Island
This tour is an ABSOLUTE must do and probably one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. It’s only $36 a ticket and you get a scenic boat ride to the island, basically free reign to wander the island (in designated areas) and an audio tour of the cell house. It’s absolutely fascinating. After we returned to the mainland, we did a little more exploring of the wharf and picked up some hot chocolate from Ghirardelli Square before walking back to our hotel. On our way back, we grabbed dinner from Tacorea, a little Mexican joint within walking distance from our hotel. We then capped off the evening with a drink from a local bar before resting up for day two!
Day 2
Our day began with a trip to Mr. Holmes Bakehouse. This place is known for their “cruffins” which are a mix between a croissant and a muffin. We picked up a few goodies, but let’s be honest I really came for the photo in front of the “I got baked in San Francisco” sign. We spent the rest of the morning shopping in Union Square and exploring Chinatown...
Our list of must-dos in Chinatown
Dragon Gate
Visit the Fortune Cookie Factory and purchase personalized fortune cookies. Only $1 each!
Get Dim Sum from Good Mong Kok Bakery. Well worth the 30 minute wait we experienced!
Painted Ladies/Alamo Square
We caught an Uber to take us over to the famous picturesque Victorian houses on one of San Fran's many steep hills. Sadly, the park in front of the houses was closed for refurbishment but we still found a bench right out front to sit and enjoy the view and eat our dim sum. Afterwards, we headed back to our hotel to pick up the car so we could drive across the Golden Gate Bridge.
Marin Headlands/Kirby Cove
Before we left for San Francisco I stumbled across this place on Instagram and knew that I had to experience this view. We parked at the top, right near the Golden Gate vista point, and trekked all the way down until we hit Kirby Cove Campground. After that, it was only a few more feet to the beach where the swing was located. Day two ended with some drinks in North Beach, at another local bar and Thai food in Union Square. We were already starting to become well acquainted with the city.
Day 3
Our third day in San Francisco was basically a half day because the majority of it was spent driving back home. We woke up, picked up breakfast burritos from Tacorea (this quickly became our favorite restaurant in the city) for the road, and checked out of the hotel.
Twin Peaks
Before embarking on the long drive down the I-5 we stopped at Twin Peaks. Atop these peaks we had a panoramic view of all of the San Francisco. The sights were amazing and such a perfect way to say ‘see you later’ to this beautiful city.
I left my heart in the city with a crimson bridge, cable cars, steep rolling hills, striking views and endless possibilities for adventure. The Golden City. The City by The Bay. Thank you San Francisco. Until next time.
Some other things I’d love to do next time:
Eat at the Ferry Building - basically a foodie’s paradise, i.e me.
Alcatraz Night Tour - need I say more?
Visit The Palace of Fine Arts
Bike the Golden Gate Bridge - rent a bike, trek the 8 miles across and then catch the free ferry ride back.
Ride the elevator to the top of the Coit Tower
Unwind in Golden Gate Park
Wander around the Mission District and South of Market - the “hipster” and nightlife central
About a month ago, Trey and I checked yet another National Park off of our list! Joshua Tree is about two and a half hours from us so we made a day trip out of it. We left for the park in the afternoon so that we would be there in time to explore a bit and catch the sunset. What I love so much about our National Parks is how they are each completely different. From Everglades National Park to Arches to Sequoia to Joshua Tree, each experience has been unique and breathtakingly beautiful. My strategy for visiting the parks is to always research beforehand what the must-see sights are. Also, when we arrive, I take a look at the map and make a note of about 3-5 places I want to see (depending on the size of the park and time we have). Here’s my list for Joshua Tree National Park, in order of what I enjoyed most:
Last week, Trey and I checked another National Park off of our list. We left bright and early on Wednesday morning and drove the approx. 3 1/2 hours to the entrance. Before heading into the park we stopped at a cute little cafe for breakfast in a small town called Three Rivers, just outside of Sequoia. After reaching the entrance and collecting a map of the park, it took us about 45 minutes to drive up the mountain to our first hike of the day. The drive up is absolutely stunning and since it is so scenic the time passes very quickly. We parked in the lot near the Giant Forest museum and hiked through the forest up to Moro Rock. The Giant Forest is beyond words. You are surrounded by towering sequoias and I’d honestly never seen anything like it. As we approached Moro Rock the trail split off into two different directions. We took a short detour up to the “hanging rock” before backtracking back down towards Moro. We were not disappointed. The hanging rock is a long oblong shaped rock sitting on the edge of a cliff. The views up there are incredible and the drop-off is slightly terrifying.
After we took in the view and snapped some photos, we climbed the 400 steps to the top of Moro Rock. The rock is a dome shaped granite monolith in the center of the park at an elevation of 6,725 feet. The hike to the summit is somewhat strenuous but the sights at the top make it completely worth it. We ended our day in Sequoia National Park with one final hike to the General Sherman tree. This tree is the biggest tree in the world by volume! It is massive. We had such an amazing, memorable day. I’ve decided that I really want to make it a goal to try to visit as many national parks as possible in my lifetime. At the visitor’s center I bought a national park passport to collect stamps from each one within the US. So far we’ve visited 3 out of 59. Everglades, Arches & now Sequoia. We’re off to a great start!
Here’s the photo breakdown:
Hanging Rock
Halfway up Moro Rock
Atop Moro Rock (6,725 feet)
Scaling the 400 steps down Moro Rock
General Sherman
Trey next to an “average” sized Sequoia in the Giant Forest.
Bandanas are not a Coachella fashion statement. They are absolutely essential to surviving the desert dust. On mild days when there is low wind, I promise you you are still breathing in all the dust in the air. I felt like I swallowed an entire desert and my allergies had a field day. Word of advice: Invest in a bandana to cover your nose and mouth and wear it daily.
Bring layers! It is ridiculously hot during the day but once that sun goes down the temperature drops significantly. You'll sweat your ass off during the day and freeze at night; the desert is strange like that.
A locker would probably be a great investment for the weekend for several reasons. To hold your extra layers for the evenings so you don't have to lug them around all day. Also, the walk from festival parking to the entrance is FOREVER so forget about storing anything in your car.
There is such a thing as the post-Coachella sickness. Yes, I googled it. I, like many other festival-goers, came down with a fever and a terrible cold on the last day. It was probably a combination of the desert dust, drastic changes in temperature and lack of sleep.
Having a Camelbak is an amazing thing. Trey carried his around all weekend and it saved us. It'll save you money and the inconvenience of carrying around water bottles. Unfortunately, the fill up station lines can be insanely long but we learned that the sink water in the bathrooms is the same water. Save yourself the hassle of standing in line and walk right in the bathroom and fill yours up at the faucet.
The food is AMAZING! Everything from Jambalaya to Pad Thai to Poutine to salads. The options are endless and everything we tried was to die for.
Have a plan. Know ahead of time which acts you'd absolutely like to see and plan your day around those. Odds are you'll jump around between stages but I'd recommend at least watching one full set. We were front row for Jack Ü's whole set and the energy was unreal. Also, pick up one of the festival guides at the info stations for set times. You can download the app too but that'll run down your battery.
It's a very real possibility that a street-style photographer will come up to you and ask to take a photo of your outfit. This happened to me the second we walked into the venue on day 2. It definitely feels good that all my outfit prepping paid off and went noticed.
Don't expect to see celebrities just wandering around. I kind of assumed I'd see someone but the grounds are so big it's very unlikely. It was honestly the last thing on my mind too. Also, the majority of celebs go weekend 1 anyways and we were at weekend 2.
No other festival compares to Coachella. You will be surrounded by incredible music, diverse food options, unique art installations and overall good vibes. There's really nothing like it and be prepared to suffer from post-festival depression. It's a thing. I'm already looking forward to next year.
Sorry this is such a belated post but three weeks ago Trey and I visited San Diego for the first time since moving to California almost 9 months ago. I’d been to San Diego as a kid but have no memory of the stunning coastal city. Before moving to SoCal, I made a list (in the form of a Pinterest board, as you do) of must-dos and must-visit places throughout the state. Potato Chip Rock was near the top of the list and we wanted to plan out time when we could complete this hike and explore San Diego all in the same day; keeping in mind that we live a little over an hour and a half from the city and the hike is a pretty lengthy one.
We arrived in Poway, CA just before noon and began the 7 mile round-trip trek up Mt. Woodson to the infamous rock. It was brutal but so worth it. The whole hike took us about three hours with a lot of time wasted waiting in line for the photo-op. Potato Chip Rock has really blown up recently on social media and you can tell it’s kind of turned into a tourist trap. Nonetheless, if you get the chance, I would still recommend visiting at least once. The opportunities for hilarious and stunning photos are endless. Also, it is an EXCELLENT workout. I was sore for days afterwards and I got a killer sunburn. Keep in mind that regardless of the weather forecast (it was supposed to be cloudy and low sixties LIES) wear sunscreen and bring lots of water. I failed to wear any sunscreen and I still have an extremely attractive tank top tan line. Learn from my mistakes. We brought a camelbak and a large water bottle and could still probably have used more water. Plan ahead!
After returning from the hike, we drove into the city and explored for the rest of the day before heading home. We had tropical drinks and calamari at Bali Hai on Shelter Island (STUNNING VIEWS) and got tacos in Gaslamp. Finally, we capped off the evening by driving over to Coronado and wandered around the famous Hotel del Coronado. All in all, a very successful first visit to San Diego! I can’t wait to go back soon. On my list for next time: Balboa Park, La Jolla Cove, SeaWorld and more FOOD.
9 Things I Observed as a Pit Fan at the 2016 MTV Movie Awards
Last night I had the privilege of attending the 2016 MTV Movie Awards at Warner Bros. Studios. All thanks to the amazing 1iota Studios I shared this experience with some of the most talented and influential stars in Hollywood, including the likes of JJ Abrams, Amy Poehler, Halle Berry, Chris Evans, Queen Latifah, Chris Pratt, Melissa McCarthy, Will Smith, Charlize Theron and the list goes on. I was a part of the couple hundred fans that packed the Warner Bros. backlot for the three hour action-packed award show. The whole experience was once in a lifetime and due to my proximity to the stage I had a perfect view of the VIPs as they took their seats, mingled with others and (in Amy Poehler’s case) shamelessly devoured their popcorn. Here are a few things I observed between takes and commercial breaks:
1. When Chris Pratt arrived, before the show began, he was literally glowing. It was almost like a spotlight followed him wherever he went. Swoon.
2. Amy Poehler seemed to be the only person genuinely enjoying the show. She was eating up Dwayne and Kevin’s jokes (pun intended) and I’m pretty sure she was the only one to touch her popcorn. Amy cracking up while shoveling popcorn into her mouth is me. She is my spirit animal.
3. Chris Pratt proudly jumped out of his seat to cheer for Amy and it was the cutest thing.
4. After Amy Poehler accepted her award, she quickly returned to her seat to grab something she forgot and before escaping backstage she blew Chris Pratt a kiss. All of the feels.
5. When Halsey performed, hardly any of the VIPs gave her the attention she deserved. It might have to do with the fact that she wasn’t near the main stage, but still.
6. J.J. Abrams and Daisy Ridley engaged in casual conversation. NBD. I would give anything to be a fly on the wall in that moment.
7. Jaden Smith had an epic dance off with everyone, everywhere. No really, he whipped and nae nae’d all over the audience.
8. Vinny Guadagnino from Jersey Shore was in attendance seated several rows from the front. The producer alerted everyone that “we’re back in 10 seconds” and he continued to talk to Halsey in the second row until she shooed him away at the last moment. LOL
9. Will Smith was loving every minute of that Lonely Island tribute. Same Will. Same.
It was an incredible evening with TONS of surprises. I’m sure that there’s so much more to add to this list, but this is just a little taste of what stuck out in my mind the most. Also, if we were allowed to have our phones in the venue I definitely would’ve taken notes and photos ;)
On Oscar Sunday, Trey and I had yet another amazing opportunity in our ongoing California adventures. We had the chance to attend Jimmy Kimmel’s Live After The Oscars special! I requested the tickets weeks in advance and got approved about a week before the show. Just as a tip, if you would like to attend a live show of any kind, check the free ticketing websites often. Also, make sure to request as far in advance as you can because tickets for events like this go FAST!
On the actual day of the taping we arrived at the offsite parking location around 4:00PM. We were not allowed to drive right to the studio because Hollywood Blvd. was closed down for the Oscars. If you’ve never been to Hollywood before, the Oscars are held in the Dolby Theater on Hollywood Blvd. which just so happens to be right across from the Jimmy Kimmel Live studio. They shuttled us from the parking garage, passing through the road blockades, to just outside the studio. When we exited the shuttles we were lead down an alley, behind the studio and in through a back door that led to the sound stage. I’ve been to many live tapings in LA and in Chicago and every time it’s still so exciting to be on the set; it never gets old. It’s almost always smaller than you’ve pictured and no matter where you sit you’re enveloped in the action and energy that is a live show. We were seated just three rows from the floor and had a perfect view of everything! Once everyone was seated they allowed us to wander to the upstairs of the studio where they had free food, drinks and a photo-op (no alcoholic beverages sadly but delicious free coffee any way you like it)! The most amazing part was the fact that you could see the giant gold Oscar statues outside of the Dolby Theater through the open door at the front of the studio. There was a guard standing by preventing us from going outside but being that close to The Academy Awards while it was happening LIVE was so surreal.
(Sorry for the limited photos, they did not allow phones in the studio)
We sat in our seats, with our boxed dinners, while they screened the Oscars live on the big screen and on tvs throughout the studio. Let me just say that Oscar watch parties are so much fun. It’s one thing to watch it at home on your own television, but to be surrounded by other fans (not to mention right across the street from the show) and feed off of everyone’s positive energy and reactions, it’s amazing. When Leo won Best Actor the whole studio erupted in cheers and applause; it was incredible.
(You can just barely see us in the audience, top right, circled in purple)
Almost immediately after the show ended, the crew arrived and the live taping of Jimmy Kimmel began. His guest was Ben Affleck and Matt Damon made an appearance by being strapped to Ben and carried on stage. It was hilarious and such a surprise. Jimmy talked to the audience during commercial breaks and thanked us for coming to the show. It was approaching midnight and you could tell that he was exhausted. The Oscars ran late and as a result it seemed as though some segments were cut from the Jimmy Kimmel Live special. Although the live show went by so fast, the whole experience was amazing. We had such a blast the entire evening. The crew sent us all home with a gift bag filled with random goodies from local vendors and even some Blu-rays of nominated films. Trey and I ended our evening at our Airbnb with some drinks and In-N-Out. It could not have been more perfect.
On Tuesday, Trey and I ventured up to Malibu, CA to hike on Point Dume. Point Dume is a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean; It’s essentially a giant piece of land with water on three of its sides. If you’ve ever seen the Iron Man movies, Tony Stark’s huge seaside mansion is located on Point Dume (it was digitally placed on the rocks in post-production). The point can be accessed by entering a neighborhood just off of the Pacific Coast Highway. There are several trails and pathways that make up The Point Dume Natural Preserve and border the ocean. The views are stunning and you can hear the sounds of seals swimming and playing on the rocks below. We spent a few hours exploring, taking photos and paused to catch a beautiful sunset. It was a perfect day despite the two hour drive back home in bumper to bumper traffic. But hey, that’s LA for ya.
I know that January is almost over and 2016 is well underway but I figured I’d take some to reflect on all that I accomplished throughout 2015. It was a busy year filled with a lot of new experiences, new places, new beginnings and some incredible memories. Here’s a list (in chronological order) of some of my favorite moments from 2015:
1. Spring Break Trip to Florida
I experienced Harry Potter World at Universal for the first time, visited my friend Kelsey at WDW and spent quality time with my Dad & Grandma.
2. St. Patrick’s Day in Downtown Chicago
My last St. Patrick’s Day in Illinois and I finally got to see the Chicago River dyed green!
3. My Last Theatre Production at AU
I performed in my last Theatre production on the Perry Theatre stage, Dancing at Lughnasa. My character’s name was Chris and I had the pleasure of performing alongside my lovely Perry family.
4. Graduation Day!
I FINALLY graduated with my B.A. in Communication from Aurora University.
5. Tampa / WDW
On my second trip to Florida, Trey and I spent two days at Walt Disney World and spent the rest of my short visit exploring Tampa.
6. Spring Awakening Music Festival 2015
Trey and I attended all three days of SAMF in downtown Chicago. This was our second music festival together.
7. Cross Country Road-Trip
On our move out to California Trey and I made stops in St. Louis, MO, Denver, CO, Moab, UT & Las Vegas, NV. We visited states we’d never been to and saw sights I’d only dreamed of. Most definitely my favorite experience of 2015.
8. My Disney College Program
I started my program on August 16, 2015. You can read more about my 5 month experience in my previous post!
9. Yoga in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle
Self explanatory. A once in a lifetime Cast Member exclusive opportunity.
10. Warner Brothers Studio Tour Hollywood
We got to explore the Warner Brother backlot, saw where they film much of Pretty Little Liars, walked through Ellen’s set and got to sit on the original Friends set.
11. Hiking the Hollywood Sign
I got to happily check this off of my bucket list!
12. Universal Studios: Halloween Horror Nights
Terrifying but SO much fun. I’d been wanting to this for some time now.
13. Our First Halloween Together
Almost every holiday during 2015 Trey and I finally got to spend together (since we were long distance for so long): My birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas & his birthday. Halloween was one of my favorites since we loved dressing up as Bonnie & Clyde!
14. Big Bear Lake, CA
As a kid, when we lived in California for 5 years, my family and I would go up to Big Bear often to enjoy the change in seasons. The weather doesn’t change much with the seasons in southern California and I began to feel kind of homesick. In the Fall, Trey and I took a day to drive up the mountain and enjoy the colorful leaves and brisk weather.
15. Carrera de los Muertos 5K
On Halloween morning I completed my first 5K in over 2 years! The course went right through downtown LA.
16. Christmas Eve at Disneyland
Trey and I spent Christmas Eve in the park. We stayed past midnight celebrating his birthday and got to ride pretty much everything we wanted to! It was also the last time I was in the parks as a guest and I haven’t been there since :(
The bar is set pretty high. 2016 sure has a lot to live up to.
On January 2nd, my college program at the Disneyland Resort came to an end. I turned in my blue ID, my Main Gate pass and checked out of housing. When I first learned that I had been accepted, it was March of last year and I was in Florida on my very last spring break of my college career. My plans after graduation were uncertain and the moment I submitted my acceptance, everything changed. I would be moving to California. This is something that I had dreamed of for as long as I can remember. The College Program was my IN to California; it was my opportunity to actually live out here and experience all that I’d wanted to. Fast forward to August 7th, the day Trey and I left my parent’s home in Ohio. This was one of the most difficult goodbyes because I did not know when I’d see my parents next or if I’d even come home after my program. The next six days on the road were some of the most incredible experiences I’ve ever had. We drove through the breathtaking Rocky Mountains in Colorado, slept in a tee-pee in the desert in Utah, hiked Arches National Park and explored Las Vegas. When we arrived in California, Trey had an interview with Verizon. He got the job and we found him a place to live, all within 24 hours. It really felt like we were meant to do this; we were meant to move our lives out to California and see what it had in store for us. On August 16th I checked into the College Program, met my roommates and moved into my apartment on the fourth floor. The first week was SO exciting. I had orientation, Traditions and when I finally got that blue ID, we spent every available moment playing in the park. The College Program provided me with once in a lifetime opportunities including backstage tours, discounts, Yoga in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle and so much more.
About halfway through my program, after our group trip to Knott’s Scary Farm, I caught a bug. I woke up with a fever and had to call out of work for 2 days. I went back to work, everything was fine but then a week later my fever was back. My fever came back the same morning of Trey’s surgery on his deviated septum. Whilst taking care of him, I was in and out of the urgent care and even drove myself to the ER. It wasn’t until a third trip to the urgent care that they finally discovered that I had pneumonia. This was one of the most difficult experiences of my life. I was out of work for almost three weeks and my mom even flew down to nurse Trey and I back to health. I am forever grateful for her because I don’t know if I would’ve been able to do it on my own. After Trey’s surgery and my pneumonia, the rest of my college program was very different. I had a falling out with my roommates, ended up moving rooms and I never completely felt better. As a result, I would call out of work often. I was so homesick after my mom left; I wanted nothing more than to quit the program and move home. However, “giving up” is not me, I don’t quit something that I’ve committed to. My new roommates turned out being wonderful. They were so welcoming and I truly felt like I’d lived there from the start.
The last few months of my program were busy. Trey and I had signed a lease on our first apartment and were trying to furnish it on our time off. It was Christmas at Disneyland and I felt so fortunate for all the time I got to spend in the parks. Trey and I spent Christmas Eve there and stayed past midnight! That was my very last time in the parks as a Cast Member. A few weeks before, my roommates and I attended our College Program Celebration and I met up with friends from work. We had a blast taking photos, dancing and the food was AMAZING! My fellow Cast Members in my work location had become like family and choosing not to stay on after the program was hard. My very last shift was on New Years Eve. Afterwards, I turned in my costume and didn’t look back.
This whole experience truly was once in a lifetime. It was a roller coaster of emotion: joy, happiness, excitement but also sadness, homesickness and actual sickness. I truly believe that everything that happened during my program, happened for a reason. I come away knowing more about myself but also very unsure of the future. Choosing not to stay with the company when I had originally hoped that I could move up and make this my career was difficult. I was denied by all of the internships and other positions I applied for within the company. My dream of working at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank was squashed. Hopefully this isn’t the end of my journey with Disney, maybe someday I’ll return. But for now, I know that there’s something greater out there waiting for me. I just really hope it becomes clear and I find it soon!
On Halloween morning, I participated in Carrera de los Muertos (Run of the Dead) in downtown LA. This was my first 5K in over 2 years! It felt amazing to get back out there since my injury. Some of you may remember that almost two years ago, while I was training for my first half marathon, I injured my knee. I was so sad that I had to cancel my plans to run the race so last minute. Since then it's been difficult to get back on a regular running regimen. My knee still tends to act up sometimes, usually when I reach the two mile mark. However, training for this 5K went great and I felt so prepared for the race on Saturday morning. During the race, I began to feel pain in my knee at the start of the last half of the race. BUT I pushed through, took the pain and finished the race in just under 30 minutes! I'm not as fast as I used to be but I met my goals of running without stopping and completing it in less than 30 minutes!!
On Tuesday, I may or may not have taken a vacation day at work to check an item off of my bucket list. I’ve wanted to tackled this hike for as long as I can remember and we decided that this would be the day! Trey and I arrived at Griffith Observatory around 2PM and parked at the bottom of the hill. We parked the car right in front of the blocked off road that begins the long trek to The Hollywood Sign. Obviously, since this was our first time, we got lost several times along the way. In total, we hiked for 3 hours and over 7 miles roundtrip. Typically, it’s about 3 miles from Griffith to the sign but our getting lost accounted for quite a bit of extra mileage. Once the road came to an end, we continued on a dirt path up and around a mountain that led to yet another road. The road was called Mt. Lee Drive; it wound up to the top of Mount Lee and right behind The Hollywood Sign! There’s a TON of security in place to protect the sign including a dozen security cameras, a fence, an armed guard and a helicopter that circles every few minutes. The view from up there was incredible and being that close to The Hollywood Sign was an absolute dream come true. We stayed up there for about 20 minutes enjoying the sights and taking photos before heading down. The hike back was much shorter (probably because we actually knew where we were going) and once we reached the second road we ran the rest of the way back. I’m still sore from the hike but it was SO worth it The entire day was so awesome and I feel very fortunate to have had this experience. I’m also very thankful for my lovely boyfriend for sharing the adventure with me.
This past weekend was pretty awesome. I actually had a weekend off so I really wanted to take advantage of that and do something exciting. Trey and I never have the same days off either so this was a special occasion. On Saturday, we decided to go to the Warner Brothers Studio Tour in Burbank! IT WAS SO COOL. I cannot express that enough. Our tour started at 1:00PM and it started with a brief video about the history of Warner Brothers. After that we were greeted by our tour guide Tim and hopped in our golf cart. He started off the tour by asking all of us what types of shows we were interested in and explaining that he can tailor the tour based on what we would like to see. I told him that I’m a big fan of Pretty Little Liars, Ellen and Friends!
When we headed out on the tour we entered the backlot, turned a corner and the first thing I saw was the DiLaurentis house from PLL. I’m pretty sure I squealed out loud with excitement. As we continued on the tour I noticed other iconic sets from PLL like Hannah’s house, the church, the barn, Rosewood City Hall, Rosewood High School, the Rear Window Brew and even an advertising outside a building for Mrs. Hastings’ candidacy for Senate. Spoiler Alert. They pretty much film the entire show on the Warner Brothers lot.
Our tour guide also pointed out several locations where Friends was filmed. We walked through the Gellar house from the old home videos and saw a TINY patch of grass that served as “Central Park.” … Oh, the magic of television. After exploring some of the backlot, we went to a little museum that had a really cool Batman exhibit (since they’re celebrating 75 years of Batman) AND a Harry Potter exhibit. They even had a sorting hat!! Trey and I both got sorted into Gryffindor obviously ;) This whole tour is nerd heaven aka MY heaven.
After some more driving around, looking at different sets and the front lot, we got the chance to explore another Batman exhibit. Like I said, SEVENTY FIVE YEARS OF BATMAN. Kind of a big deal. The large warehouse had pretty much every bat-mobile that’s been in a live action Batman movie. They even had Ben Affleck’s from the new Batman vs. Superman movie. AND my personal favorite, The Tumbler from The Dark Knight. I fangirled so hard for basically the entire two hour tour.As if all of this wasn’t cool enough, Tim informed us that we would be WALKING THROUGH ELLEN’S SET!
We did not get to take any pictures past the stage door but we walked right in through the Riff Raff Room. While he explained to us some things about the set and the show (most of which I already knew), we sat in the audience in one of the cute purple seats. AND I got to stand on her star where she stands and gives her monologue and then dances through the audience! Coolest moment of my life (not really, but it’s certainly up there).
After touring Ellen’s set, our guided tour came to an end and Tim dropped us of at Stage 48. Stage 48 is basically a museum with a whole bunch of exhibits including the ENTIRE SET OF FRIENDS! We explored for about an hour, took tons of pictures, road a magic broom through Hogwarts, and got an iced coffee at their very own Central Perk coffee shop. I also bought an awesome Central Perk mug because I have no self control ;) This was seriously one of the coolest experiences I’ve done. I would really like to go back on a weekday when I may actually catch them filming something!
Last Thursday, we were offered another awesome opportunity as a CP intern. We got to tour LA on a double decker bus FOR FREE. I’ve been wanting to explore LA and see all of the touristy sights but...
It can be pretty expensive, especially if you pay for a tour. &
If you’re exploring on your own, parking is a nightmare.
BUT we did not have to worry about either of these things because everything was provided (except food and souvenirs obviously). We had an awesome tour guide named Lenny who knew everything about all of the sights we visited and tour buses can pretty much park anywhere they want; It was fantastic. Our day began in Anaheim at 9AM and we drove about 45 mins. to our first stop: Kingswell Avenue. Kingswell is the sight of Walt Disney’s very first studio in LA. Ironically enough, it is now a Vans store.
Our next stop after Kingswell Avenue was Griffith Observatory! We had a little over a half hour to explore, wander the grounds and take photos. Tiana and I took photos with the Hollywood Sign in the background and enjoyed the awesome view of Downtown LA from the roof of the building. This was my second time visiting Griffith and it will most definitely not be my last. There are some incredible views, cool exhibits inside, and lots of hiking opportunities!
After Griffith we headed over to Hollywood Blvd. and were given an hour to explore the sights. We walked the street passing familiar celebrities stars including Tom Cruise, Michael Jackson and Walt Disney!
We passed by the Chinese Theatre and went inside the lobby of the Dolby Theatre. Also, we stopped at the El Capitan Theatre and went inside the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop with the Disney Store attached. Tiana got a brownie and I ordered a very delicious chocolate malt. Our Disney discounts worked for our purchases so that was huge plus!!
Hollywood Blvd. is a strange place with some very interesting characters. It’s fascinating to see it at least once since there’s so much history there but I doubt I’ll return. It is most definitely a tourist trap. Next, our tour guide took us down Sunset Blvd., the Sunset Strip, Rodeo Dr., and through Beverly Hills. He pointed out all the interesting places along the way and provided us with some history and fun facts about the areas. Our next stop was at The Grove! If you’ve never heard of it, it’s basically an outdoor shopping and entertainment complex with an attached Farmer’s Market. The market is AMAZING. There is literally every type of food that you can think of and I am already planning on taking Trey back, because he’ll be in heaven. Tiana and I spent an hour exploring the market and ordered sushi at one of the stands. This was my first time having sushi in California and it was worth the wait. I got a Vegas roll and it was marvelous and so fresh! Ordering seafood in coastal states is SO much better than the fish back home in Illinois.
Also, apparently they were setting up for a fashion show right down the middle of The Grove. We saw the models practicing their walks to the music in full make-up and street clothes. This was probably very normal for California but definitely not something I see everyday!
Our next destination was Downtown Los Angeles. On our way, we drove by the La Brea Tar Pits. I had never heard of them before but I guess that it’s natural asphalt that’s been seeping out of the ground for the thousands of years. They’ve built a museum next to the pits and even have a little reenactment of prehistoric animals being stuck in the tar. We also made a quick stop at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and saw the Urban Lights exhibit! I’ve only ever seen Urban Lights in movies and on TV so this was pretty exciting. It’s such a cool art installation and at night there’s a little light show synced to music!
Our final stop of the day before heading back to Anaheim was The Walt Disney Concert Hall. By this time it was after 5:00PM so the shop was closed and we just ended up doing some photo ops out front. It was still really awesome to see the building in person. Such unique and impressive architecture.
Being an intern at Disneyland has provided me with some pretty awesome opportunities. By far one of my favorites, thus far, was practicing Yoga and Tai Chi in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle! This past Wednesday, my roommate and I woke up bright and early before the sun had risen for this once in a lifetime experience. The event started at 7AM, well before the park opened, and we arrived about 30 minutes early to guarantee a good spot in front the castle. It had been a few weeks since I’d practiced yoga because I’ve been so busy getting acclimated to my new job and living in California. Getting to practice yoga for the first time in a few weeks in The Happiest Place on Earth was amazing. I felt centered and read to tackle the day ahead. After we went through the whole yoga sequence we were introduced to the Tai Chi instructor. This was my first time ever doing Tai Chi so I had no idea what to expect. I learned that it’s much more fast paced and as opposed to yoga, you’re supposed to hold tension. This concept was pretty strange to me but it was interesting to learn a whole new practice. Personally, I prefer the relaxed, zen feeling that you get from yoga. BUT I’m always open to trying new ways to connect with my body.
Also, for attending the event we got a special cast member exclusive “Be Well” pin! Yay for free pins!! We even got to see Mickey in a cute little track suit; he was adorable. This was definitely an experience that I will never forget.
On September 3rd I turned 22 and I could not have imagined a more perfect way to spend my day than at Disneyland! I woke up early and two of my roommates (Nancy and Angie) joined me for a day in the parks.
Our first stop was DCA and guest services so I could get an infamous birthday button! I was so excited. Also, I love the fact that almost EVERY cast member you pass by wishes you a Happy Birthday. Birthdays at Disney are so magical. While in DCA we went on Mickey’s Fun Wheel, Toy Story Midway Mania, The Silly Symphony Swings, Radiator Springs Racers, Little Mermaid and more! We also ate a late lunch at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta. By the way Mickey’s Fun Wheel is TERRIFYING. We went on the gondola swings and I did not expect them to be so scary. You feel like you have zero control and there’s no seat belts! I’d probably go on again though because as crazy as it sounds, it’s pretty exhilarating.
After we explored DCA for quite a few hours we headed over to Disneyland! Unfortunately, we were only able to spend a little over an hour there since I had to head over to work at 6PM. Luckily it was a short shift and I’m thankful I got to spend the majority of the day playing in the parks.
Since my birthday fell on a Thursday Trey obviously had to work during the day and since I worked at night, I did not get to see him at all. It worked out great though because the following day I had off and he got off earlier than usual. He had been planning this big surprise for my birthday for weeks and would not tell me what we were doing or where we were going. When he showed up at my apartment after work we hopped in the car and he started driving towards Disneyland. I knew we were going out to dinner but honestly had no idea that it would be at Disneyland. As we were walking from the tram he started inching towards DCA. I was still stumped until we entered the gates and I saw Carthay Circle Restaurant! I’ve been wanting to go there so badly but figured it wouldn’t be until months down the road; I was wrong. The restaurant is modeled after The Carthay Circle Theatre, one of the most famous movie theaters in old Hollywood. The theatre housed the premiere of Walt Disney's first feature length film, "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" and has since been torn down. Our reservation was at 8PM and we made it there just in time!
Trey ordered the Cathay Manhattan and I ordered Pimm’s Punch. They were SO STRONG and Trey’s came with a cute diamond shaped ice cube inside for the 60th celebration. We also ordered their Signature Fried Biscuits; my goodness were they delicious. For dinner, I got the Chicken and Anaheim Chili Raviolis and Trey got the Pork Chop. It was all amazing, probably one of the best meals I’ve ever had (I feel like I say that a lot). Unfortunately though, Trey’s dish alone was $38 so you can imagine how often we’ll be going back (not very often). Money should not be an issue though because it’s all about the experience and the company you’re with. The ambiance was great, we had a wonderful server, the food was fantastic and I got to spend it with my amazing boyfriend. I could not have asked for a more perfect evening.
Although I did not get to spend my birthday with my family, I am so grateful for my roommates and my amazing boyfriend for making it so special. AND a huge thank you to my parents for sending me FOUR awesome birthday care packages.
